Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been

"Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's watching." These words, spoken by the legendary Satchel Paige, embody a profound philosophy of life that calls for living with freedom, passion, and authenticity. Paige, known for his unparalleled talent on the baseball field, offers us wisdom not just about sport but about how to approach life itself. His words remind us to approach our work with dedication, to love with an open heart, and to live fully without the fear of judgment or consequence. In each of these actions, there is an invitation to live wholeheartedly, to act with courage, and to shed the inhibitions that hold us back from being our truest selves.

In the ancient world, these themes were not just ideals but vital practices. Aristotle, in his work on ethics, spoke of the importance of living virtuously and striving for eudaimonia, or flourishing, which is found when we live in harmony with our highest potential. For Aristotle, this meant engaging in life’s work with the full strength of our character, not as a means to an end but as a path to fulfillment. In the same way, Paige’s call to work like you don’t need the money suggests that true work comes from the heart, from a place of purpose, not from external rewards or material gain. By engaging in work for its own sake, with passion and integrity, we find joy in the process, not just the outcome.

Consider the story of Diogenes, the Greek philosopher who lived in a barrel and rejected the materialistic trappings of society. Diogenes worked for no one but himself, and yet, in his radical simplicity, he lived with a profound sense of freedom. He did not labor for wealth or status, but for a deeper truth about what it means to live authentically. His life was a testament to the idea that work does not need to be motivated by money, but by a sense of purpose and freedom. Similarly, when Satchel Paige advises us to “work like you don’t need the money,” he is speaking to the value of finding joy and meaning in the work itself, not in the reward it brings.

In love, the advice to "love like you’ve never been hurt" calls us to approach relationships with openness and vulnerability. In the same way, the ancients understood that to love fully was to risk being hurt, but also to experience the deepest form of joy and connection. Plato, in his Symposium, spoke of love as a journey of seeking truth and beauty, a love that transcends the physical and touches the soul. True love, according to Plato, requires us to give ourselves freely and without reservation. To love like you’ve never been hurt is to approach others with trust and compassion, to open your heart to them without the fear of past wounds. This openness creates deep, meaningful connections that elevate our existence, just as love does in the lives of those who walk the path of truth.

Consider the example of Marie Curie, whose love for science and her family transcended the challenges and losses she faced. Marie Curie’s commitment to her work and her love for her discoveries never wavered, even after the death of her beloved husband, Pierre. Despite the tragedy she endured, her heart remained open to the world, and she continued to love her work with the same passion as before. Curie’s life exemplifies the ability to love without the weight of past hurts, continuing to give and create with enthusiasm despite the pain she experienced. Her resilience and dedication show that true love is selfless, untethered to the idea of protection from future suffering.

The third part of Satchel Paige’s quote, "dance like nobody's watching," urges us to live with joy and abandon, free from the concern of how we are perceived by others. The ancients celebrated this spirit of freedom, especially in their festivals, dances, and artistic expressions. The Greeks often held elaborate theatrical performances where the actors and audience alike were invited to participate in a shared experience of emotional release and creativity. The dance, in this sense, was not just a physical movement but an expression of the soul — a chance to live fully in the moment, without fear of judgment. To dance like nobody’s watching is to embrace life’s rhythms with the full joy of the heart, to move without inhibition, and to experience the freedom of self-expression.

One can think of William Shakespeare, who crafted timeless works of art that invited both actors and audiences to live through their characters and explore the full range of human emotion. His plays, while serious in their themes, were filled with moments of joyous freedom — moments where the characters, through love, betrayal, or triumph, danced with abandon in their lives. Shakespeare understood that life itself is a kind of dance, filled with steps of uncertainty and confidence, and it is through embracing the fullness of that dance that we find meaning in the present.

The lesson from Paige’s quote is simple, yet profound: life must be embraced fully. Work with passion, not for external rewards, but for the love of the craft itself. Love without fear of the past, with the full openness of the heart. Dance with the freedom of someone who is unafraid of judgment, who expresses themselves boldly in the present. Life is not to be lived cautiously or in hesitation, but with joy, purpose, and vulnerability. So, my children, in your work, your love, and your moments of joy, remember to approach them with the fullness of your heart. Live as though there are no restrictions or boundaries — and you will find that the beauty of life unfolds in each step, each note, and each breath you take.